OC ’12: Leading an Inclusion Initiative

This seminar was led by the one and only Amy Fenton Lee a great expert in this area of ministry.

Special Needs ministry has challenges.

Stats and Trends:

• 19% of Americans have a disability
• 1 in 88 children have autism
• 7% of children have ADHD
• 8% of children have a learning disability
• 10% of children have an anxiety disorder
• 13% of children have a developmental disability

The law say we are required to provide free and appropriate education in our public school.  So a parent has this environment at school but come to church where there is no inclusion.  That usually doesn’t go over well.  Frustation and misunderstand usually ensues this first experience.  A “Special Needs Classroom” doesn’t usually go over so well.  Parents want inclusion not seclusion.

3 A’s of Inclusion:

• Accepting the individual and family impacted by special needs
• Accommodating the specific needs of the child, student, or adult with a disability – can we keep them safe?
• Advancing the spiritual development of the person with learning differences

Define Objectives:

• Differing Church Missions & Demographics.  Not every church is called to do special needs ministry the same.  Not every church has the same resource pool.
• Diversity of disability population. A church’s competencies tend to build on the attributes and needs of original participants.
• Delineate long term goals from short term goals.  Address the role of therapy and treatment inside the ministry.  Determine what the church can do in the short term and do it well.  Proactively shape parent expectations by setting public timeline for ministry progression (adding hours/services for accommodation, additional settings, respite events, parent support groups).

Only do what you can do well.

3 different models of Inclusion:

1. Full Inclusion. This utilizes buddies in typical ministry settings.  Preteens and teens are good helpers here but need to be trained.
2. Self Contained Special Needs Room with a separate classroom
3. Hybrid where it has individualized plan for each child and may utilize both environments

Where does Special Needs Ministry belong?

• Independent Ministry
• Pastoral Care
• Children’s/Family Ministry

It can fall under any of the above but bottom line is there needs to be a Staff Advocate.  Also, Children’s Ministry needs to play a vital role in this.

The Ministry Champion:

• Typical profile is that it is a female impacted by special needs by choice (profession) or through extended family
• The roles and responsibilities are administrative, relational and nurturing, judgment and leadership. Structure the role around their gift set.
• Paid vs. Volunteer.  Questions to consider – Is the special needs champion providing leadership and guidance for the Church?  Is the church staff mentoring and managing the special needs champion?  If you can pay, please pay and pay fair.

Risk Management (Setting up the Church for Success):

• Standard Ministry Forms (can be found here)
• Ministry policies
• Parent advisory committee
• Lawsuits & Bad Press